Education and Health Child

Vaccinations are one of the greatest achievements of medicine and were considered the discovery that, throughout human history, has brought benefits second only to those derived from drinking water. Childhood vaccinations are very important because they represent the first action brought prior to your child, to eliminate the risk of dangerous infectious diseases. Vaccinate children means being part of an action brought in the world by the World Health Organization.

The ultimate goal of vaccination is to be able to decrease the incidence of very serious diseases or even to make them disappear (smallpox, a terrible disease and now forgotten, nor the most concrete example).

The human body protects itself against infectious disease by producing antibodies, substances that neutralize the “infectious agents” is what happens “naturally” when one is struck for the first time an infectious disease. The principle on which is based vaccination is to induce the production of antibodies against specific diseases (ie to mimic what happens in kind) so that if the individual was infected with the microbe causing the disease, is able to defend themselves.

The vaccines are made by the same agents that cause disease, rendered harmless through highly sophisticated systems. Also, not everyone knows that vaccinations are not limited to protecting the individual child is vaccinated, but are a beautiful example of protection of “community”. In fact, with the vaccination of a large number of children forms a strong barrier, which hinders the movement of the microbe. This mechanism (“herd immunity”) may lead to a dramatic reduction of cases of illness and sometimes even the disappearance of the disease, as happened with smallpox and polio as is happening to. Moreover, the protection of “community” also protects the few children who can not be vaccinated because they suffer from serious diseases where vaccination is not recommended, or who have not responded well to vaccination, or have not yet been vaccinated at the behest of parents. So if all we decide to vaccinate, we also protect those who could not be vaccinated because they have major health problems (take for instance children with a serious disorder of the immune system, a tumor, etc.).

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Highly contagious disease caused by a virus of the paramyxovirus family. Characteristic symptoms of infection include fever, cough, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and the appearance of the typical red spots on the skin, such as “Koplik spots known.” In particular, the spots appear within 2-4 days for the first time on the oral mucosa. After 3-5 days of starting points a little “scattered from beneath the ears and on one side of the neck, spread (within 24-48 hours) and on the trunk and extremities, where they begin to disappear on the face. Arise, then, sore throat and inflammation of the larynx and tracheobronchial mucosa. In the acute phase of illness, the fever can be up to 40 ° C, often associated with photophobia, conjunctivitis, dry cough and itching of moderate size. The total length of measles is usually between 8-10 days, although the cough can last longer. The transmission of the disease by direct contact with mucus or saliva of infected patients or through inhalation of infected airborne droplets released by coughing, sneezing, talking or simply . The possibility of infection to another person begins 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and therefore, 3-5 days before the appearance of Koplik spots. The risk of contagion, but will end 4-5 days after the disappearance of the eruption. The Incubation lasts an average of 8 to 12 days, when the first symptoms begin to appear.) The onset of the rash (rash, but starts after about 14 days. A diagnosis of measles is only possible to identify the typical Koplik’s spots. Higher accuracy of the diagnosis, then you can if you patch notes also have a high fever, malaise starts el’esantema characteristic progression tail mullet. Today, they are also appropriate serological tests.

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One of 14 babies in the United States born with low birth weight, less than 5 pounds 8 ounces, most of these children are premature or are part of a multiple birth. Babies born at term, we know that there are factors that contribute to low birth weight:

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